An analysis of closed obstetric malpractice claims
1University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Malpractice claims involving obstetric bad outcomes often stem from poor physician judgment. Settlements in these cases, when negligence is probable, reflect injury severity, primarily infant damage.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Medical Malpractice Law
- Healthcare Risk Management
Background:
- Physician-sponsored malpractice insurance data provides insight into obstetric claims.
- Understanding claim outcomes is crucial for risk mitigation in obstetrics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze closed obstetric malpractice claims and identify patterns.
- To determine the outcomes of obstetric claims and the factors contributing to them.
Main Methods:
- Review of closed obstetric malpractice claims from a major insurer (1982-present).
- Analysis of 54 closed files over a 6.5-year period.
- Categorization of claims by outcome: no claim, dismissed, settled, or trial verdict.
Main Results:
- 39% of reported bad outcomes did not result in formal claims.
- 42% of formal claims were dismissed.
- 18 of 19 compensated claims were settled pre-trial, averaging $185,000.
- Settlements were linked to probable medical negligence and infant injury severity.
- Poor physician judgment was the most frequent error.
Conclusions:
- The majority of compensated obstetric claims involved probable medical negligence.
- Non-meritorious claims were not compensated.
- Infant injury severity correlated with settlement amounts.
- Improving physician judgment is key to reducing obstetric malpractice claims.
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